Election 2013 – Articles, Analysis, Comment – The Conversation

Kevin Rudd’s return to the prime ministership has been somewhat of a knock for Bob Katter’s party’s election prospects. AAP/Lukas Coch

Grattan on Friday: hung parliament Mark II? Surely not!

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

With the polls so close, could the unthinkable happen? Might we see another hung parliament? On the balance of probabilities, surely not. But just consider, hypothetically, what it would be like if, say…

Prime minister Kevin Rudd has already expressed his disgust at ICAC’s findings, but will its stench affect the upcoming federal campaign? AAP/Dean Lewins

‘Sugar Ray’ Rudd won’t be stopped by ICAC

Mark Rolfe, UNSW Sydney

“ICAC, SHMY-CAC. My name is Kevin, I’m from Queensland and I’m here to help.” I know it’s not quite what the prime minister would say: I have taken a little licence with his words from 2007. But I think…

Opposition leader Tony Abbott and immigration spokesman Scott Morrison hope Australian voters prefer their policy. AAP/Dan Peled

Tough guys: Operation Sovereign Borders vs the PNG Solution

Melissa Phillips, The University of Melbourne

Just when you thought being “tough on borders” couldn’t get any more serious, along comes the Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders. It’s got all the right elements of a plan: it’s an operation (with…

Chris Bowen and Kevin Rudd are facing the challenge of paying for their new policies while minimising political “nasties”. AAP/Lori Neilsen-Carr

Grattan on Friday: Boats done – the economy’s next on Rudd’s agenda

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Now Kevin Rudd has ticked off emissions trading and unveiled his PNG solution on boat arrivals, he’s turning his full attention to trying to neutralise the “debt and deficit” issue. In other words, he’s…

Prime minister Kevin Rudd’s attempts to reconstruct the ALP may fall flat if Victorian preselection battles in Hotham and Lalor are any guide. AAP/Tara Ravens

Rudd reforms and preselection battles: the more things change…

Nick Economou, Monash University

The old saying “the more things change, the more they stay the same” is particularly appropriate when describing the Australian Labor Party at the moment. Upon being returned to the federal parliamentary…